MINUTES OF THE
CITY OF SAN RAMON – COUNCIL MEETING

A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Ramon was held January 9, 2007 in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 2222 Camino Ramon, Mayor Wilson presiding. The meeting convened to Closed Session at 6:02 p.m.

PRESENT: Councilmembers Hudson, Livingstone, Rowley, Vice Mayor Perkins, and Mayor Wilson.

STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Herb Moniz, City Attorney By Athan, Police Chief Scott Holder, Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas, Planning Director Phil Wong, and City Clerk Patricia Edwards.

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At 6:02 p.m., the Council met in closed session pursuant to Government Code §54957 to meet with its labor negotiators, Jeff Eorio, Greg Rogers, and Cheryl Mitchell Wade – SEIU Local 790. No action was taken by the Council. At 7:06 p.m., Mayor Wilson reconvened the meeting. All Councilmembers were in attendance.

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Three members of Troop 84 led the Council, staff, and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

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Mayor Wilson asked if there were any changes or additions to the agenda. The City Clerk noted there were none.

Mayor Wilson asked if there were any changes or additions to the Boards, Committee and Commission meetings schedule. The City Clerk noted that the January 16, 2007 Planning Commission meeting has been cancelled.

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(#4.1) Proclamation Declaring January 2007 as Volunteer Blood Donor Month. Mayor Wilson presented the proclamation to Harry Beardsley, Donor Resources Development Representative for the American Red Cross. Mr. Beardsley thanked the Council. He emphasized the urgent need for blood and urged citizens to donate blood. Additional information and appointments may be made by contacting 1-800-GIVELIFE. Mayor Wilson encouraged residents to donate blood.

Brenden Inchauspe provided information to the Council regarding Neil Armstrong’s service project. Flowers were grown and then sold to Sunset Development. The students raised $1,600 which was donated to Heifer International and five Donors Choose projects. Heifer International is a nonprofit organization that helps families become self reliant through the gift of livestock and training in environmentally sound agriculture. Donors Choose is a nonprofit organization that provides teachers in need with resources that the public schools lack in order to help their students learn. Mayor Wilson presented Mr. Inchauspe with a City pin and thanked him for organizing the project.

Mayor Wilson presented Mr. Ballock with a $5,000 check from the Arthur D. and Beverly Bridges Foundation for the San Ramon Arts Foundation. The Foundation provided the check in honor of the Mayor’s birthday. Mr. Ballock thanked the Mayor and encouraged residents to support the Arts in San Ramon.

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Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas presented the report. The Parks and Community Services Commission recommends that the City Council appoint Joanne Ellgas to serve on the Arts Advisory Committee with a term to expire April 2008.

Cm. Rowley’s motion to appoint Ms. Ellgas was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0. Mayor Wilson congratulated Ms. Ellgas.

Recreation Services Division Manager Esther Lucas gave the report. The Parks and Community Services Commission recommends that the City Council appoint Peter M. Esse to serve on the Senior Advisory Committee with a term expiring April 2008.

Cm. Rowley noted that Mr. Esse is a great candidate. Cm. Rowley’s motion to appoint Mr. Esse was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0. Mayor Wilson congratulated Mr. Esse.

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The City Clerk noted that there was one request for public comment.

Nicole Arndt requested that the City Council agendize the extension of the Weymouth Court parking permits. She described the parking congestion problems which result from parking for the Aquatic Center, tennis courts, and California High School events. She noted that there are 300 parking spaces at the high school which are not utilized. The issue has been presented to the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) at a public hearing and the TAC vote was 2-2. Residents are requesting that parking restrictions be in place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week. Mayor Wilson responded that the item will be on the January 23, 2007 Council meeting agenda.

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Vice Mayor Perkins’ motion to approve the December 12, 2006 minutes was seconded by Cm. Rowley and passed 5-0.

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(#8.2) Resolution No. 2007-01 – Authorizing an Appropriation of $64,000 from the FY 2006/07 Gas Tax Fund and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute an Agreement with G. Bortolotto & Company, Inc. for the Construction of FY 2006/07 Pavement Repair Stop Gap Project (CIP 5469) in an Amount not to Exceed $182,000.

(#8.3) Resolution No. 2007-02 – Accepting Certain Landscape Parcels and Certain Landscape Improvements in RA 1102 (Bollinger Canyon Road, Windemere Parkway, Albion Road, Harcourt Way, Bellingham Square, North and South Bellingham Way, and Rockhampton Road) for Maintenance (Windemere BLC Land Development Company, LLC).

(#8.4) Resolution No. 2007-03 – Authorizing the Mayor to Execute Contract Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement with Carey and Co., Inc. for Architectural Design Services for the Interior Restoration of the Historic David Glass House and Tank House (CIP 5419) for a Time Extension from December 31, 2006 to December 31, 2007.

(#8.5) Resolution No. 2007-04 – Approving Final Map for Subdivision 8702 on a 134 Acre Parcel Located
200 Feet East of Alcosta Boulevard and Northerly of Old Ranch Road and Timbercreek Drive
(Old Ranch Summit/Davidon Homes).

(#8.6) Resolution No. 2007-05 – Accepting, Reconveying or Rejecting Select Drainage Easements Contained in Subdivision 5612 in Conjunction with the Approval of the Final Map of Subdivision 8702.

(#8.7) Ordinance No. 387 – Adopting Section B8-39, Vehicles Parked in Fire Lanes; of Article 4, Parking; of Chapter 1, Stopping, Standing and Parking; of Division B8, Vehicles and Traffic; of Title B, Regulations of the Municipal Code of the City of San Ramon.

(#8.8) Resolution No. 2007-06 – Authorizing the City of San Ramon Police Department to Enforce the California Vehicle Code on Private Streets in the Dougherty Valley.

(#8.9) Resolution No. 2007-07 – Accepting the Requirements of the California Penal Code Relating to the Recruitment and Training of Law Enforcement Officers.

(#8.10) Minute Order No. 2007-01 – Authorizing the Mayor to Attend the United States Mayors’ Conference in Washington, D.C. on January 24-26, 2007.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to approve consent calendar items 8.1 through 8.10 and waive the reading of the ordinance for item 8.7 was seconded by Cm. Livingstone and passed 5-0.

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Mayor Wilson called a recess at 7:34 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:45 p.m. with all Councilmembers in attendance.

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(#10.1) Public Hearing: Faria Preserve Development Agreement (DA 06-850-001).

The attached "Transcript of Proceedings" taken at 2222 Camino Ramon, San Ramon, California, commencing at 7:46 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2007, before Megan Alvarez, RPR, CSR No. 12470 (File No. A00AE79) are adopted by the City Clerk as the official minutes of the meeting for this item.

(#10.2) Public Hearing: Introduction of an Ordinance Implementing the Elected Mayor Task Force Recommendations.

City Manager Herb Moniz presented the report. He reviewed the background, charge, and recommendations of the Elected Mayor Task Force.

Mayor Wilson opened the public comment.

Mary Lou Oliver clarified that the reference in the staff report to Articles II and III of the City’s Charter provide for the election of the mayor. She noted that the mayor’s term limits were part of the ballot statement. Any changes would require a vote by the public.

Mayor Wilson closed the public comment.

Mayor Wilson requested that the Council consider continuing the item and discuss it at the Council’s February workshop.

Cm. Hudson’s motion to continue the item to a date to be determined was seconded by Vice Mayor Perkins and passed 4-1. Cm. Livingstone dissented.

(#10.3) Public Hearing: Introduction on an Ordinance Establishing a San Ramon Citizens Compensation Commission.

City Attorney Byron Athan noted that there is an apparent conflict of interest in the Council regarding setting their own salaries and allowances. Mr. Athan recommended that a five member commission be appointed and be patterned after state and federal procedures. The commission recommendations would not be binding.

Cm. Livingstone questioned the conflict of interest. Mr. Athan stated that the conflict arises because individually the Council is interested in its salary and is also in the welfare of the taxpayers. Combining these two interests creates a conflict of interest.

Mayor Wilson opened the public comment.

Roz Rogoff questioned the origin of this issue. She asked if other cities have a similar compensation commission and how other cities handle this issue. She did not feel that a special commission was needed.

Mayor Wilson closed public comment.

Cm. Rowley suggested that the Human Resources Department survey cities and municipalities of comparable size and duties and provide this information instead of a commission.

Mayor Wilson stated that the commission needs this type of data. He recommended including residents in the commission to enable them to have more ownership in the City.

Cm. Hudson noted that a problem for elected officials is justifying a pay raise. Council pay raises were once tied to the City’s population. It is important to study what elected mayors are doing. He stated that it was important to compile this information and that the research could be conducted by staff, Human Resources, or a commission.

Cm. Livingstone commented that a compensation commission is not warranted. He believes that the Council is capable of establishing its salary.

Vice Mayor Perkins noted that the Council addressed this issue two years ago, evaluated salary and benefits information, and voted to raise Council salaries. He believes that the Council is capable of doing the evaluation and that a commission is not needed.

Cm. Hudson noted that the Council previously reviewed information regarding salary but not regarding allowances. He suggested that Human Resources keep the Council informed of compensation policies in other cities.

Cm. Rowley agreed with the input from the Elected Mayor Task Force. She noted that the duties of the current elected mayor are more stringent and suggested that the Council address this factor.

Mayor Wilson stated that Councilmembers are able to benefit the community because of the county and state committees on which they serve. He added that the citizens should evaluate the Council.

Cm. Hudson noted that the most significant issue is that of an elected mayor. He recommended Human Resources prepare an update for the salaries throughout the County and the elected mayor’s salary in Martinez, Brentwood, Richmond, Antioch, and San Ramon. The data should be evaluated as an informational item and reviewed at the Council’s February workshop.

Mayor Wilson concurred. He requested that Human Resources compile the data. He suggested that the item be continued to a Council meeting after the workshop.

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City Manager Herb Moniz reported that the Community Workshops for the Parks and Community Services Master Plan will be held on January 24, January 25, and February 3, 2007. He strongly encouraged residents to provide their input on parks and programs by attending the workshops or sending their comments to staff by email.

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Cm. Hudson provided the Council with an update regarding the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) activities. Karen Stepper has been appointed as the Contra Costa County Mayors’ Conference representative to CCTA. CCTA has voted to prioritize the fourth bore for the Caldecott Tunnel and the extension of Highway 4. Don Tatzin representing Lamorinda is the new Southwest Area Transportation (SWAT) representative to CCTA. He reported that Route 135, the new bus service to Dougherty Valley, is getting good reviews. This service is free in January 2007. He encouraged residents to utilize the bus service to make it a success and justify its continued operation in San Ramon. He informed the Council that he is the 2007 chair for SWAT.

Cm. Livingstone wished everyone a Happy New Year. He congratulated the Mayor on his State of the City address at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Cm. Rowley also congratulated the Mayor on his commentary and the visuals.

Mayor Wilson thanked Nicole Blazin for preparing the visuals for his State of the City address. He sang the National Anthem at the Board of Supervisors meeting and noted that Mary Piepho is now the Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. He thanked the Contra Costa Mayors Conference for their support and for his election as the 2007 Chair. He reported that he will attend the U.S. Mayors Conference in Washington, D.C. on January 24-26, 2007. He asked the Council for a volunteer to serve on the Policy Committee for the League of California Cities. Cm. Hudson volunteered.

There being no further business, Mayor Wilson adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.

Signed:
Scott Perkins, Vice Mayor
Patricia Edwards, City Clerk

                                 Link to Transcribed Portion of Minutes

Approved at the January 23, 2007 City Council meeting, 4-0; Wilson absent.